Men's Hair Loss: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Most people will experience hair loss at some point in their lives unless they are fortunate enough to have been endowed with divine genes. We all experience everyday hair loss because it's a normal component of the hair cycle. But we're here to talk about the kind of hair loss that can result in unwelcome hair thinning and eventually male pattern baldness. In fact, one of the most important difficulties for men's grooming is hair loss.
What is Hair Loss in Men?
Male hair loss is rather typical. We frequently assume that it occurs as we age, yet it can occur at any point in our lives and may do so for a number of different causes. The Hamilton-Norwood scale, which describes the seven phases of hair loss, can be used to identify natural hair loss. This scale, which was developed in the 1950s, can be used to monitor the development of male hair loss.
The hair typically goes backward and begins to recede at the front of the hairline. Starting in your early 20s, this is a progressive process. Patchy hair loss occurs when the hair begins to thin and fall out from the scalp in more concentrated locations. Other areas of the body may also begin to thin at the same time.
Stress, hormones, and personal health issues can all contribute to more severe and unexpected hair loss. Depending on the causes, hair loss can also be either temporary or permanent. It's crucial to keep in mind that every person's experience with hair fall is unique, and this is typically due to genetics.
What Causes Men’s Hair Loss?
As you might imagine, there is a long list of potential causes for male hair loss given the extensive amount of study that has been done in this area. To make it a little more thorough, we'd like to highlight some of the most significant reasons for hair loss. It will undoubtedly be simpler to address your hair fall after you've determined its source.
Here are some of the causes of hair loss in men:
Age is inevitable; accept it! Our hair changes in texture and color as we age, becoming finer and perhaps more fragile. In addition, hair development slows down with age. Unfortunately, though, we might lose those gorgeous locks from our 20s and 30s1.
Telogen effluvium2, or rapid hair loss, can be brought on by going through a trying moment in your life. Psychological stress3 can "shock" your body, causing the hair follicles to change from the growing phase into the resting phase.
You may have heard the word "DHT" mentioned in relation to hormones and men's hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone4 is a hormone that is already present in our skin, hair, and prostate and has the potential to damage our hair follicles in specific amounts. Genes may play a role in how much DHT is present in our bodies. Thyroid hormone levels both high and low might result in hair loss.
One of the most well-known drugs to cause hair loss (alopecia) is chemotherapy5. Hair thinning is a side effect of some antidepressants, steroids, and blood thinners, too; if you are worried about this side effect, talk to your doctor.
Studies have indicated that smoking can contribute to hair loss. The health of your hair can also be impacted by a poor diet and frequent exposure to heat6.
The most frequent reason for hair loss is male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Hormone alterations that occur with aging are the reason for male pattern baldness. Genetics and a trait that is passed down through the generations are to blame.
What are the Treatments for Men’s Hair Loss?
You are unable to totally stop the cycle of natural hair loss unless you opt for a hair transplant. Both follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction are difficult operations, so you should talk to a professional before deciding whether to pursue either one.
Here are some other ways you can treat hair loss in men:
There are lifestyle changes we may do that will lessen the likelihood of hair loss. In addition to adopting a nutritious diet and trying to eliminate big pressures in your life, quitting smoking is a smart place to start7.
Medication: There are drugs that help stop the thinning of your hair. Your doctor may prescribe these.
One of the drugs that is most frequently recommended is finasteride. Finasteride8 prevents testosterone from becoming DHT; it won't stop hair loss, but it'll probably slow it down.
Additionally, minoxidil is the only over-the-counter active ingredient with clinical evidence that it can help prevent, slow down, or even reverse hereditary hair loss. Regaine's primary ingredient is minoxidil. By stabilizing hair loss and promoting hair regrowth, Regaine® gives you better outcomes if you are still experiencing early or mild hair loss. By increasing follicular size, the blood supply to the hair follicles, and hair shaft diameter, minoxidil in Regaine® products promotes hair growth.
How Can I Prevent Men’s Hair Loss?
Some types of hair loss cannot be prevented. However, some precautionary measures to take can include the following:
Handle your hair with care.
If you are taking any supplements or medications that could be contributing to your hair loss, talk to your doctor.
Keep your hair away from the sun's and other sources' UV radiation.
Stop smoking9.
If you are having chemotherapy, talk to your doctor about wearing a cooling cap. You'll be less likely to lose hair while receiving chemotherapy if you wear this hat.
In conclusion, losing hair can be emotionally challenging10. Talk to your doctor about the various reasons for your hair loss. Some treatments that can halt hair loss and promote the growth of new hair are usually beneficial. And a lot of people, no matter how much or how little hair they have, find ways to succeed and feel great.
References:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2147/CCID.S200471?needAccess=true&role=butto
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15309635
https://www.proquest.com/docview/230511679?fromopenview=true&pq-origsite=gscholar
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1185/030079905X61820?casa_token=rATRVhC1G_gAAAAA:qYIkkwBP0NcBo1WVYUu7hZEi9d_38smAsgK8yFW_KGCYXLE6c-WXo8XzL0flOtgFIEsKyye0ezCXuA
